Neck-yoke



(No Model.)

. A. D. SHEPARD.

I NEGK YOKE. No. 315,561. Patented Apr. 14, 1885.

.zittofnqy UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AMOS D. SHEPARD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

NECK-YOKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 315,561, dated April 14,1885.

Application filed October 30, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, AMos D. SHEPARD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Neck-Yokes; and I do hereby declare that the following specification is a full, clear, and exact description of the same;

My invention relates to an improvement in the construction of neck-yokes that will render them more durable, neater, and finer in finish, and easier to adjust to the poles of light and heavy wagons.

The invention consists in placing around and upon a graduated wooden yoke-bar two metallic bands that are shaped to conform with the surface of the'bar, and cling to or embrace said bar at the center. Said bands are further provided with flanges that, when the bands meet on the bar, look into each other and form a socket in which the poleloop is inserted and fastened.

I attain the construction of my yoke by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of my invention; Fig. 2, also a side view of the reverse side of my neck-yoke; Fig. 3, a detached viewshowin'g the flangesof the band C thrown open, exposing the manner of holding the pole-loop; Fig. 4, a detailed view of the bar and manner of separating the bands from the bar; Figs. 5 and 6, perspective views of the bands; Fig. 7,

a vertical view of the yoke-bar.

A represents the yoke-bar, which is made from well-seasoned wood, fashioned so as to conform nearly to the well-known form of bars, only my bar is turned from the center to each end, so as to have a graduating smaller surface from center to ends.

13 is a band composed of iron, steel, or other metallic substances,which is constructed so that one end has a larger opening than the other end, and the diameter of the opening of the larger end corresponds with the diameter of the barb-center, so that when the said band is passed on the bar the rim of the larger end of the band just comes to the center of the bar, and, beingunable to go on any farther, clings to said bar.

C is a corresponding band of metal, identical in size and shape with the foregoing, and

leather or its equivalent.

passes on the bar A from the opposite way of said band B; and when the two bands are brought together on the bar their inner edges close tightly against each other and form on their. outer surfaces a smooth, compact, and even finish.

B is a flange cast with the band B. Said flange stands longitudinally on the band, and is provided at each end with lugs B, which stand at right angles with the length of the flange and incline inward from where they are united to the band and flange to the outer edge of the flange, making a wedge shape of the space between the lugs B.

* C is a flange that is united to the band 0,.

and stands longitudinally thereon. Said flange fits between thelugs B when the bands B and C are brought together on the bar A, look ing said parts. The flanges are held in place by the screws E.

D is the pole-loop, which is composed of Said loop is shaped to fit snugly the space between the lugs B, and is held therein by screws E. fi

I claim that the only substance which can be brought in contact with the pole of a wagon without detriment to the pole or yoke'bar is leather, or something of the same flexible nature, as anything hard or unyielding causes a strain on the loop, and the loop acts upon the bar, and, as either one or the other has to give somewhat to the unsteady motion of the pole, it is preferable to have the loop give, as it bears the most strain; and with my yoke,when

the loop becomes worn, it can be replaced by loosening the screws E and inserting a new loop. So, also, in regard to other parts of my device, if anyone part should become broken by accident, that particular part can be replaced without casting away the whole device. a

By the forming of the bands in the shape shown, so that they rest upon, instead of within, the surface of the bar, considerable expense is savedin the manufacturing, which,

in an article of this nature, where the margins are small, is a great advantage, as, also the termination of the loop D in the socketforined by the flanges is important. Heretofore in many cases the ends of these loops have usually passed around the bar in a groove that was turned therein and were fastened to each other by riveting. This groove v veakother, as specified, and a loop, D, held as deened the strength'of the bar, and altogether scribed, substantially as' and for the purpose IO was a disadvantage to the'utilit'y of the yoke. set forth.

WVhat I claim as new and desire to secure 5 by Letters Patent, is AMOS SHEPARD In a neck-yoke, the combination consisting Witnesses:

HENRY WV. CLARKE, J NO. J. HUBBARD.

of the bar A, the bands B 0, provided with. flanges B and O, that interlock With each 

